Data-Collection Software
This sensor can be used with an interface and the following data-collection software.
Spirometer
(Order Code SPR-BTA)
The Spirometer can be used to perform a variety of
experiments related to air flow and lung volume. The
sensor handle can be held manually, or it can be
attached to a tripod or stand using the threaded insert in
the bottom of the handle. The sensor is composed of a
removable Flow Head for easy cleaning and sterilization and a differential pressure
transducer. The Spirometer can be used to perform a variety of tests, including:
FEV (forced expiratory volume). FEV is the volume of air exhaled after a short
period of constant effort. When this test is done over a one-second interval, it is
known as FEV1.
FVC (forced vital capacity). FVC is the volume of air exhaled by a forced
maximal exhalation after a full inhalation.
TV (tidal volume). TV is the volume of air inhaled and exhaled at rest.
Inventory of Items Included with the Spirometer
Check to be sure that each of these items is included with your Spirometer:
Spirometer (includes sensor handle and Flow Head)
5 disposable mouthpieces
1 disposable bacterial filter
2 nose clips
Collecting Data with the Spirometer
This sensor can be used with the following interfaces to collect data:
Vernier LabQuest 2 or original LabQuest as a standalone device or with a
computer
Vernier LabPro with a computer or TI graphing calculator
Vernier Go!Link
Vernier EasyLink
Vernier SensorDAQ
CBL 2TM
TI-Nspire Lab Cradle
Here is the general procedure to follow when using the Spirometer:
1. Connect the Spirometer to the interface.
2. Start the data-collection software.
3. The software will identify the Spirometer and load a default data-collection setup.
You are now ready to collect data.
Logger Pro This computer program is used with LabQuest 2, LabQuest, LabPro,
or Go!Link.
Logger Lite This computer program is used with LabQuest 2, LabQuest,
LabPro, or Go!Link.
LabQuest App This program is used when LabQuest 2 or LabQuest is used as a
stand-alone device (LabQuest App 1.2 or newer is recommended).
EasyData App This calculator application for the TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus can
be used with CBL 2, LabPro, and Vernier EasyLink. We recommend version 2.0
or newer, which can be downloaded from the Vernier web site,
www.vernier.com/easy/easydata.html, and then transferred to the calculator. See
the Vernier web site, www.vernier.com/calc/software/index.html for more
information on the App and Program Transfer Guidebook.
DataMate program Use DataMate with LabPro or CBL 2 and TI-73, TI-83,
TI-84, TI-86, TI-89, and Voyage 200 calculators. See the LabPro and CBL 2
Guidebooks for instructions on transferring DataMate to the calculator.
DataQuest Software for TI-Nspire This calculator application for the
TI-Nspire can be used with the EasyLink or TI-Nspire Lab Cradle.
LabVIEW National Instruments LabVIEW software is a graphical
programming language sold by National Instruments. It is used with SensorDAQ
and can be used with a number of other Vernier interfaces. See
www.vernier.com/labview for more information.
Disassembling/Assembling the Spirometer
The Spirometer comes with a detachable Flow Head that can be removed for
sterilization or replacement.
Detaching the Flow Head from the Handle
Push on the latches Pull up on the Flow
at the top of the Head and remove it
handle until they from the handle.
splay outward.
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Attaching the Flow Head to the Handle
Push in the two latches Line up the two small
at the top of the handle holes on the base of the
so that they splay Flow Head with the two
outward ports inside the top of
the handle
Using the Spirometer
The Spirometer can be used for both expiratory only and inspiratory /expiratory
experiments. Use the following combinations of mouthpieces, filters, and Flow
Heads for the type of experiment you are doing.
Expiratory Only
Use a disposable cardboard mouthpiece with the
Spirometer for experiments in which the students will
only exhale through the Spirometer. Attach the
mouthpiece to the side of the Flow Head marked
Inlet.
Inspiratory/Expiratory
Use a disposable cardboard mouthpiece and a
disposable bacterial filter with the Spirometer for
experiments in which the students inhale and
exhale through the Spirometer. Attach the
bacterial filter to the side of the Flow Head
marked Inlet and attach the cardboard
mouthpiece to the bacterial filter.
In an ideal situation, every student would have his
or her own bacterial filter and disposable
mouthpiece. According to the manufacturers
specs, the MicroGard filters out more than 99%
of bacterial and viral aerosols.
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Cleaning the Flow Head
The manufacturer recommends three methods, in the following order, with which to
sterilize the Flow Head.
1. Wash the detachable Flow Head in a dishwasher. It is dishwasher safe. This
method provides the longest life for the Flow Head and is the method most
recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Cold sterilize the Flow Head with a surface disinfectant such as Cidex or
Technical Tincture of Green Soap. These are available from medical supply or
janitorial supply companies.
Press down firmly on the
3. Autoclave the Flow Head. This method provides the shortest life span for the
Flow Head until it
Flow Head.
securely attaches to the
handle. Push the latches We recommend that you sterilize the Flow Head using one of these methods after
in to lock the Flow Head each school day, at the very least, and that you always use the Spirometer with a
disposable mouthpiece.
in place
The nose clips should be wiped clean between uses and soaked in a mild detergent
after each experiment.
Taking Measurements with the Spirometer
Ensure that the person being tested is breathing only through his/her mouth. The
person can use a nose clip or hold his/her nose.
Connect a disposable bacterial filter and a disposable mouthpiece to the clear
plastic Flow Head on the side labeled Inlet.
Hold the Spirometer vertically and still during use.
For best results, start the data collection on an exhale.
Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial process such
as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing process, or industrial
testing of any kind.
Specifications
Spirometer Accessories
Flow rate 10 L/s
The following items are available for the Spirometer.
Dead space 93 mL
Disposable Bacterial Filter (pkg. of 10) order code SPR-FIL
Nominal output 128 mV/[L/s]
Disposable Mouthpiece (pkg. of 30) order code SPR-MP
Detachable flow head
Noseclip (pkg. of 10) order code SPR-NOSE
Dimensions 80.5 mm (diameter) 101.5 mm (length)
Spirometer Flow Head order code SPR-FLOW
Mass 80 g
Construction clear acrylic plastic Using the Spirometer in Your Classroom
Handle Here are a few examples of experiments that can be conducted with the Spirometer.
Dimensions 127 mm 23 mm 35 mm Breathing Patterns
Mass 85 g A students normal, resting breathing
Construction black ABS plastic pattern is measured by a Spirometer.
Cable length 1.5 meters A graph of the data shows the student
breathing in (inspiration) and
Stored calibration
breathing out (expiration). The graph
Slope 7.8 (L/s)/V shows typical results of the flow rate
Intercept 17.55 L/s during a normal breath and a deep
breath.
This sensor is equipped with circuitry that supports auto-ID. When used with
LabQuest 2, LabQuest, LabQuest Mini, LabPro, Go! Link, SensorDAQ, TI-Nspire Tidal Volume
Lab Cradle, EasyLink, or CBL 2, the data-collection software identifies the sensor A students normal, resting breathing
and uses pre-defined parameters to configure an experiment appropriate to the pattern is measured. A graph of the
recognized sensor. data shows the volume of air the
student breaths in (inspiration) and
How the Spirometer Works breaths out (expiration). The overall
process is referred to as ventilation.
When the Spirometer is assembled, a subject blows into a Flow Head composed of a Tidal volume is the amount of air that
plastic housing through which air is forced. In the center of the Flow Head is a mesh a person breathes in with a normal
screen. As air is forced through the Flow Head a slight difference in pressure occurs breath.
between the front and the back surface of the screen. A tube in front of the screen
and a tube behind the screen pass the pressures to a differential pressure transducer. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
The greater the airflow passing through the screen, the greater the pressure In this activity, the student exhales
differential. This allows for the direct measurement of airflow rate (L/s). Volume (L) forcefully and very quickly into the
is calculated by integrating the flow rate (L/s) as a function of time (s). Spirometer, and then inhales. The
graph of this event, shown here,
Calibration Information allows the student to determine
You should not have to perform a new calibration when using the Spirometer. We his/her forced vital capacity. The
have set the sensor to match our stored calibration before shipping it. You can graph is a plot of lung volume
simply use the appropriate calibration value that is stored in the data-collection (x-axis) vs. flow rate (y-axis). The
program. data may also be examined to
determine Forced Expiratory Volume
after 1 second (FEV1).

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Warranty
Vernier warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship
for a period of five years from the date of shipment to the customer. The replaceable
Flow Head, manufactured by BIOPAC Systems, Inc,. carries the warranty provided
by them (12 months) and is not subject to a separate warranty by Vernier. This
warranty does not cover damage to the product caused by abuse or improper use.

Vernier Software & Technology

13979 S.W. Millikan Way Beaverton, OR 97005-2886
Toll Free (888) 837-6437 (503) 277-2299 FAX (503) 277-2440
info@vernier.com www.vernier.com

Rev 2/25/15
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Vernier EasyLink and other marks shown are our trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States.
TI-Nspire, CBL 2 and CBL, TI-GRAPH LINK, and TI Connect are trademarks of Texas Instruments.
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